ABSTRACT

In order to help realize the plans to explore space beyond Earth's environment, there is the question of how much of the required hardware and expendables should be brought from Earth, or should/must the resources extant at the point of exploration for mission accomplishments be utilized, and if so, to what extent. Several factors, including cost, mission, and schedules, affect this resolution, but understanding the complexities associated with each avenue requires considerable verifiable data related to technologies involved, which, without actual experience, becomes impossible to quantify. Both robotic and human missions can benefit from utilization of resources, based on many studies examining both lunar and Mars exploration. While human missions may benefit most, because of the high dependence on expendables, robotics can benefit as well, a case in point being propellant and oxidant requirements for a Mars return mission with collected samples planned for Mars 2020. In situ resource utilization (ISRU) discussions began in the 1960s directed toward moon, the major focus at the time, but following the Viking Landers' successes, technology concepts applicable to various aspects of future exploration on Mars ensued. Since then, the understanding of ISRU has expanded to include how to conserve/use waste products from humans in space into useful products as well as how to advance lunar and Mars human missions based on efficient conversion of materials in situ. Although there are many aspects associated with identifying the sources available, the methods of capturing/collecting the resource, conversion technologies, and storing and subsequently reusing these products in human missions are involved. This chapter will only address the concepts and technologies associated with resource utilization/conversion that have been extolled and/or advanced through demonstrations, as they are oriented toward either lunar or Mars operations.